Great White Shark Population Growth Off California Coast Points to Progress

The great white shark population is growing off the California coast, Fox 5 San Diego reports. Stanford University and the Monterrey Bay Aquarium scientists say the population’s growth is good for nature.

Scientists say the sharks’ numbers mean the overall ecosystem health is good. “If we have these marine systems that can Support a healthy population of apex predators it means those marine systems themselves are healthy, so it’s a good sign that we’re doing the right thing on our coastal systems,” Oregon State University Professor Dr. Taylor Chapple said.

Scientists found 300 adult and sub-adult great white sharks, up from 219 in 2011. This means that populations of fish and seals might be healthy. The study was published in the journal Biological Conservation. 

Paul Kanive, a marine ecologist at Montana State University, lead author of the study told The Mercury News: “A healthy population of white sharks means there are healthy populations of the sea lions and elephant seals they eat. And that means that the lower levels on the food chain, like fish, are healthy enough to Support the marine mammals.”

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